BOLTS PREPARE FOR CONTINGENCIES ON O-LINE

On Wednesday, the Chargers’ offensive line prepared for the possibility.

The team rearranged some of the veterans on its top two units during the second day of minicamp. The mix saw King Dunlap move from first-string left tackle to right tackle, elevating second-team left tackle Max Starks to the first-team group.

Dunlap’s switch also pushed starter D.J. Fluker to second-team right tackle for a good portion of the morning. Meanwhile, on the second-team unit, center Dave Molk played right guard and guard Steve Schilling played center.

“That’s just part of the process,” coach Mike McCoy said. “We’re going to move guys now through training camp. You’ve got to work different combinations of guys. There’s always injuries during the season you’ve got to work through. ... This is the time to do it, to see who does it best. Even if they’re not going to be at that spot going into the opener, at least they’ve got some work on it, in all fairness to them.”

Things can go awry during the season. Last year, McCoy saw it.

The Chargers were in Denver, and as has been the case of late, their offensive line was forced to overcome injuries. Left guard Tyronne Green exited the game with a hamstring ailment, and Rex Hadnot replaced him. Then, late in the second quarter, right guard Louis Vasquez (ankle) missed the final six snaps of the half.

Molk, a rookie center and the only healthy interior lineman available, replaced Vasquez. Molk said it was the first time in his life he had played guard.

Promptly, a miscommunication on third-and-4 led to a sack of Philip Rivers. The fourth-down punt was blocked, and Denver quarterback Peyton Manning threw a 31-yard TD pass on the ensuing play.

The Chargers lost 30-23.

Wednesday was the first time this offseason that the Chargers rearranged their O-line in a practice open to media. The team did it last week during a closed session at organized team activities, McCoy said.

That this occasionally leaves Fluker, the first-round pick and projected starter at right tackle, with the second-team offense does not appear to be a concern.

“He’s still getting the reps,” McCoy said. “He needs reps in this system. That’s what he’s doing. We’re just putting different combinations out there. We’ll figure out who the best five are come the opener.”

Brown is 23 again

A number of Chargers players tracked Quentin Jammer’s free-agency situation this offseason, curious to see if the respected veteran cornerback would return to San Diego for a 12th season.

Ronnie Brown was one of them. He had a side reason.

The Chargers running back has a new number, and it’s his old one. He recently switched from No. 30 to No. 23, the latter worn by Jammer since the team selected him fifth overall in the 2002 NFL Draft.

Brown wore No. 23 throughout his college career at Auburn and for his first six NFL seasons in Miami. He had to switch to No. 36 in 2011 upon joining the Eagles, as cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie had the number claimed. Brown became No. 30 with the Chargers last year.